Helen Haines, the independent federal MP seriously injured in Monday’s attack outside her Wangaratta office, remains in a critical condition, with sources saying she has lost a leg.

Her alleged attacker has been identified as one of her constituents – Brendan Nugent, from nearby Tarrawingee. He is on the electoral roll in her federal seat of Indi, in north eastern Victoria.

Haines had surgery overnight. One leg was massively injured when she was struck, reportedly more than once, by the alleged attacker’s white Toyota Landcruiser. Sources on Tuesday morning said doctors were fighting to save the other leg.

Nugent, 43, is in custody, with authorities interviewing him as they seek to determine a motive. Reportedly, he was too impaired to be interviewed on Monday night, because of the effect of drugs or alcohol.

A bystander at Monday’s events, Cody Lepoidevin, described Nugent’s demeanour after he was pulled from his vehicle as “erratic”, saying he was concerned about the passenger door of his vehicle, his phone and his wallet.

On X, an account appearing to belong to Nugent, an environmental activist, describes him as “Plant Person” and says, “The world should be run by dogs and........

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